The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder
The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder
The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder
Company marketing for gifts and cards during Mother’s Day and Father’s Day depicts the differences associated with the holidays. In order to capitalize on profit, large companies often include stereotype-reinforcing marketing behind parental celebration products: Mother’s Day sales typically prioritize jewelry and clothing, complete with heartfelt messages about childcare, while Father’s Day gifts tend to illustrate the father in a less serious, paternal light. “In terms of emails around those holidays, I typically get more Mother's Day [marketing] from florists or from whatever places I've shopped at online. I tend to see more in terms of advertising and marketing,” English teacher Casey Holland said.

One month apart, 60 years behind

Risa Cidoni, Editor-in-Chief • May 13, 2024

On the second Sunday in May of every year, families gather to celebrate the strong women who brought children into the world and tended to the development of the next generation. This year on May 12, Mother’s...

St. Louis’ history of racial discrimination and segregation has widely contributed to current inequities. Most of the issues that plague St. Louis-area schools are intricately interwoven into each other and the system. “History has helped us to get to where we are and there are certain things that have happened and beliefs that people have that continue to perpetuate things that are occurring. When I say systemic, it's not just about the one problem. All of our problems, in my opinion, are rooted in things that are occurring throughout our organization, our policies and our procedures,” Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Dr. Cartelia Lucas said.

The price of unequal education

Elizabeth Franklin, Editor-in-Chief • February 9, 2024

Almost 70 years ago, on May 17, 1954, the landmark case of Brown v. The Board of Education was decided by the United States Supreme Court, deeming Plessy v. Ferguson’s “separate but equal” notion...

“A lesson that has stuck with me throughout my whole life is to always outwork the person next to you. Whether it’s athletics or school, work hard, and work harder than the person next to you. As an educator, I know that my job is never finished and I’ve got to continue to work harder and harder to help students. I’m most proud to be a teacher when I have a former athlete or student reach out to me and tell me about their successes. That makes me feel like a proud parent and a proud teacher. My mom always talked about when I was a little kid. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. When I got to high school I thought I wanted to be a PE or history teacher because I wanted to coach basketball. My high school basketball coach said to do something that will make you more marketable, so you’ll more likely get a job out of college. I was always really good at English, I loved reading and writing, so I just followed that passion and advice. The best compliment I’ve ever gotten is when I get letters from my students saying how much they enjoy my teaching and that I actually helped them enjoy English class. One of the reasons I wanted to become a teacher and a coach is because a lot of the time the teachers and coaches I came from weren’t always great, and I wanted to be an example of what they were not,” - Casey Holland, English

Casey Holland, English

Ava Griswold, Yearbook Editor-in-Chief • March 9, 2023

Teachers, counselors and students share their opinions on the ACT test-optional policies.

ACT test-optional 101

Ashlyn Gillespie, Deputy Managing Editor-in-Chief • March 9, 2022

Before the pandemic, students around the country participated in the test score rat race, hoping it would enhance their college application enough to get into their dream school. But that was two years...

A graphic featuring the game "Wordle."

Wordle: The internet’s new obsession

Emily Early, Editor-in-Chief • February 16, 2022

Opening up Twitter or any other social media site recently, you’re bound to find some of the latest posts with arrays of black, yellow and green squares. But don’t worry, Twitter hasn’t been hacked....

While credit recovery classes are going to be in-person, credit advancement classes will be virtually asynchronous.

Summer school still on despite COVID-19 challenges

Haley Patel, Staff Writer • April 15, 2021

As summer school forms roll out, the choice for each individual to go virtual or in-person is no longer the case. Instead, depending on if the course is for credit advancement or recovery, the student's...

Holding a Kansas City sports themed picture, English teacher Casey Holland displays his classroom adorned with Chiefs decor. Holland will watch his favorite NFL team compete in the Super Bowl for the first time in his life Feb. 2. “I was born and raised a Chiefs fan. I'm from Southwest Missouri two hours south of Kansas City. My friends and I in elementary school all liked the Chiefs and our parents liked the Chiefs and we used to go to games all the time. I was just born into it.

Wait of a lifetime culminates in Super Bowl LIV for English teacher Casey Holland

Tyler Kinzy, Managing Editor-in-Chief • February 2, 2020

English teacher Casey Holland jolts awake at 2 a.m.  “I haven't been sleeping well,” Holland said. “Last night I woke up at 2 a.m. and checked my Twitter feed for any Chiefs news or Chiefs videos....

While traveling with his daughter, Gianna Bryant, basketball legend Kobe Bryant's helicopter crashed, killing him, Gianna and seven others Jan. 26. Millions have been mourning the losses alongside the Bryant family.

Kobe Bryant: A legend to remember

Bri Davis, Staff Writer • January 30, 2020

All too soon, a legend was taken from us at the age of 41: Kobe Bryant. He was a five-time NBA champion, the Los Angeles Lakers all-time leading scorer and an idol for many. While traveling with his daughter,...

Planting seedlings in a garden at school, freshman Maura Collins, along with Environment Club, plans to donate the produce to Parkway Food Pantry once it is grown. The club began this year with the help of English teacher Casey Holland and wants to spread awareness about the environment through gardening projects and information about being environmentally friendly. “I’m passionate about the environment because my mom always loved gardening, so I spent a lot of my childhood outside,” Collins said. “I want to specialize in sustainable urban planning, so I thought some exposure from the club might be good.”

The Environmental Club plants seeds for change

Lilly Rahm, Convergent Media Writer • May 17, 2019

In an attempt to promote green living and a healthy lifestyle, the Environmental Club began planting vegetables to donate to the Parkway Schools Food Pantry. “After being at this school for two years,...

Typing a chapter in "From the Ashes," sophomore Allison Worth adds to her upcoming novel.

Student Spotlight: Allison Worth

Debra Klevens, Convergent Media Writer • February 24, 2015

After years of wanting to write her own book, but struggling to find a plot, 15-year-old sophomore Allison Worth began writing a dystopian young adult novel. “It incorporates a lot of diversity, which...